Writing

If it’s good enough for FDR…

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I give you the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, knitting:

I have to admit that my knitting has been slipping a little bit lately. Sure, I turn in my one or two puffs a month here and there, but that’s about it. Even seeing Sara knit beautiful creation after beautiful creation for Christmas didn’t really spark my imagination. I only have time to really focus on one hobby at a time, and it hasn’t been knitting.

Then I got the idea to make something for Oliver for his birthday, and suddenly I’m re-energized! And enjoying it too: it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever tried to tackle, following a pattern and everything. It’s surprising to me how much I actually understand without having to ask Sara, and yet how it’s a little bit more challenging, like I’m pushing the envelope *just enough* to be interesting, but not scary.

In fact, I already decided on my next project after this one. Here’s hoping the enthusiasm holds!

Of course there are costs to everything. I was hoping to finish my fledgling novel by Oliver’s birthday. Christmas stalled out progress at about 17,000 words, and I’ve only added about 1,000 since then. In other words, I have a loooong way to go yet. Between everything else I have to do, every hour I spend knitting is one I don’t spend writing. My writing output is already preciously low, and I regret every hour I don’t spend on it.

On the other hand, when I’m worn out at the end of the day, I can quickly pick up my knitting. It’s hard to be in the mood for writing after a long day, and it takes a certain amount of time to really get into it, especially if it’s been several weeks since the last time I wrote.

I guess if FDR could knit and run for the presidency, I can knit and write.

“Downsizing Pluto” now live at Daily Science Fiction

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“Downsizing Pluto” is now available at Daily Science Fiction.

From my story notes:

I was having a discussion with my sister-in-law Anna about the removal of Pluto as a planet, and she wondered, “What will happen to the Roman god Pluto, now that his planet isn’t a planet anymore?” Call me old fashioned, but I believe that all physical phenomenon in our world can be explained by the antics of powerful supernatural beings. Logically, it was the other way around: the god wasn’t hurt by the downgrade of the planet, the god was downgraded, and the planet followed suit. Or at least that was a more reasonable explanation than a couple of scientists got together and decided that something we all agreed was a planet wasn’t a planet anymore.

Go forth to read and rate (click 1 – 7 “Rocket Dragons” down at the bottom of the story). If you want to comment you’ll have to come back here, since there isn’t any commenting over there.

When it rains, it pours

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I am pleased to announce the sale of my story “Downsizing Pluto” to Daily Science Fiction.

After 3 1/2 years of writing with no success, here’s a second sale already. Must be something about places with rocket logos.

This story speculates on what might have happened to cause the downfall of poor little planet #9.

Daily Science Fiction isn’t a magazine in a traditional sense. You can sign up on their webpage to receive a story emailed to you every weekday.

Our stories are mostly short short fiction (flash fiction) each Monday through Thursday, hopefully the right length to read on a coffee break, over lunch, or as a bedtime tale. Friday’s weekend stories are longer.

I will let you know when the story is available online (or, if you are a fan of science fiction, you can go ahead and sign up for their emails, and then you will know it is available when it arrives in your inbox). It should be a couple of months or so.

Here’s to more announcements like these!

I have reviews!

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My story at Redstone Science Fiction has garnered two professional reviews, one from Lois Tilton at Locus, and another from  Jo-Anne Odell at Tangent.

Can I just tell you how exciting it is to be reviewed by Locus and Tangent? We’re not just talking about Joe Blow on his blog writing a review. (Although I would be excited about that too!)

Selling that story has just been the gift that keeps on giving. I had the excitement of getting an acceptance, the excitement of seeing it go live, and now the unexpected excitement of seeing reviews. Here’s proof that people I don’t even know have read my story. Professional people who read stories like this for a living. Heady stuff.

Locus:

Chrysanthemum is a nuclear rocket scientist supergenius who can’t get a second date without downloading the guy’s brain into a robot. Until she meets a guy who’s a big a nerd as she is. Silly stuff.

Tangent:

Chrysanthemum  is a scientist in “My Heart is a Quadratic Equation” by Shane Halbach.  Although she dates men on a regular basis, we’re not really sure why.  She definitely has no interest in them, except as potential test subjects.  Chet ends up in her lab that way.  Strangely, he seems to have no objection.  When she meets Albert, everything changes.

If you enjoy absurdism, you might like this.  Occasionally, I find an absurdist piece I think is marvelous, but most just leave me scratching my head.  This one was no exception.

“My Heart is a Quadratic Equation” now live at Redstone Science Fiction

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The September issue of Redstone Science Fiction is now live, including my debut story, My Heart is a Quadratic Equation.

I am honored (if that’s even the right word…maybe unworthy?) to be featured alongside the amazingly talented, prolific, and well-nominated Lavie Tidhar.

While you are there, be sure to check out Mr. Tidhar’s story “Earthrise“, and perhaps leave a comment or two about how much you liked “My Heart is Quadratic Equation”. 🙂